Category Archives: Free Agents
Blues snap up Redden
It didn’t take long for the blues to scoop up Wade Redden. It seems that he has signed a 1 year deal worth 800,000.hockeytraderumors.com
— hockeytraderumors (@hockeytraderumo) January 18, 2013
Wade Redden, Scott Gomez bought out; who wants them?
Both players would’ve just stayed home and collected their paychecks had the NHL and NHLPA not agreed to activate the buyout rule before the offseason, which was the initial plan. The change in course allows for an early fresh start for everyone involved, and that’s a good thing.
Redden is likely to pick a new team on Friday, TSN.ca’s Darren Dreger reported. Clubs “kicking the tires,” according to TSN.ca’s Bob McKenzie: the Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers. The Anaheim Ducks and Carolina Hurricanes are considering Gomez, according to McKenzie.
Both can still apparently contribute, previous ridiculous contracts aside. Redden, an offensive defenseman, was productive in the AHL, where the Rangers stashed him to avoid his salary cap hit. Gomez’s offensive abilities cratered after the Canadiens acquired him (from the Rangers, not coincidentally) in 2009, but he still could play in the bottom six.
Do not be at all shocked if both the Oilers and Jets take a run at Wade Redden. hockeytraderumors.com
— hockeytraderumors (@hockeytraderumo) January 18, 2013
Remaining Top Unrestricted Free agents
With the NHL season set to open this weekend (about time) there are still several players who are Unrestricted Free agents that are out there who could help many teams out. Players such as Arnott and Huselius could still provide a veteran presence to any team.
Check out our list of the available remaining UFA’s.
Red Wings discussing whether Wade Redden would be a fit
The Detroit Red Wings want to improve their defense and are looking at Wade Redden as a possible solution.
The decision is being discussed internally, especially with assistant coach Tom Renney, who coached Redden in 2008-09 with the New York Rangers.
The Rangers made a big splash signing Redden to a six-year, $39-million deal in 2008, but things got so sour after two seasons that Redden spent 2010-11 and ’11-12 in the minors. The Rangers have until Saturday’s start of the 2013 season to buy out his contract, which would give Redden, 35, a shot at finding a new employer.
NHL, NHLPA AGREE TO ACCELERATED COMPLIANCE BUYOUTS
This is great as it will make it so that players such as Redden and Gomex will still have chance to play somewhre else this season rather than sitting at home.
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The NHL and NHL Players’ Association have come to an agreement on players being forced to stay home for salary cap reasons this season.
According to TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.com, teams are now eligible to exercise an “accelerated compliance buyout” on one player with a salary cap hit of $3 million or more before the regular season begins on Saturday.
If a compliance buyout is used this week, a team will have only one left to use next summer.
Here are five UFAs that could be of interest
Jason Arnott (C)
The 38-year-old is coming off a decent season with the Blues in which he scored 17 times and added 17 assists. Not surprisingly, a number of teams have been kicking the tires; however, there will be concerns about his ability to keep up and, also, to stay healthy. (Salary in 2011-12: $2.5 million)
Chris Campoli (D)
One of the NHLPA’s most outspoken members during the lockout, Campoli is hoping his commitment to the cause won’t cost him a job. Slowed by a leg injury last season, the 28-year-old appeared in just 43 games for Montreal, averaging 17:12 of ice time per game. Given the market for depth defensemen, Campoli should find a home somewhere. (Salary in 2011-12: $1.75 million)
Brett Clark (D)
Another potential depth d-man. Clark, 36, played all 82 games for the Lightning in 2011-12. His minus-26 rating was the fifth worst in the league, and that won’t look great on his résumé. But as always with plus-minus, it may not tell the whole story if he was playing tough minutes. (Salary in 2011-12: $1.3 million)
Daymond Langkow (C)
Just as depth on the back end is important, so is depth down the middle. Langkow, 36, appeared in all 16 playoff games for Phoenix last season, scoring once and adding six assists while playing 15:25 per game. He probably won’t score 77 points again like he did with Calgary in 2006-07, but if he wants a job, he should be able to find one. We hear the Coyotes are looking for a center. (Salary in 2011-12: $4.5 million)
Petr Sykora (RW)
Despite scoring 21 times last season in New Jersey, Sykora doesn’t fit in the Devils’ plans, according to GM Lou Lamoriello. The 36-year-old slowed down in the playoffs with just two goals in 18 games. (Salary in 2011-12: $650,000)
http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2013/01/14/here-are-five-ufas-that-could-be-of-interest/
CANUCKS SIGN D BARKER TO ONE-YEAR, $700,000 CONTRACT
The Vancouver Canucks have agreed to terms on a one-year, $700,000 pro-rated deal with free agent defenceman .
Barker, 26, dressed in 23 games for the Texas Stars of the AHL this season, recording eight points and 24 penalty minutes. He played in 25 games with the Edmonton Oilers last season, scoring 2 goals and picking up 23 penalty minutes.
Dan Ellis lands spot on Carolina’s training camp roster
It looks like Brian Boucher will have some competition for the backup job in goal during Carolina’s training camp.
Former Ducks and Predators goalie Dan Ellis has landed a spot on the Hurricanes’ camp roster (PDF) to earn a spot behind Cam Ward. Ellis had been playing with the team’s AHL affiliate in Charlotte, and according to TSN’s Bob McKenzie he’ll soon have a contract with Carolina to go with it, potentially a two-way deal.
Del Zotto, Rangers may not reach deal before camp
The Rangers, confronting a cap squeeze next season, are believed to have offered Del Zotto a two-year contract worth north of $2.4 million per season. The defenseman, who had been looking for a longer-term deal before the lockout, is believed to be seeking approximately $3 million per season for two years.
“There’s only so much you can do with these ‘gap’ contracts,” Sather said, referring to contracts for players coming out of Entry Level. “Michael must have his reasons for doing what he’s doing, but the way the system works, he’s going to have to wait his turn.”
COLTON ORR ATTEMPTING RETURN TO LEAFS
He was almost unrecognizable stalking the ice for the Toronto Marlies late last year. Still sporting the familiar #28, Colton Orr was in the midst of a transformation, a transformation desperately required of a player whose stock in the NHL had plummeted, a fighter whose career hung in the balance.
“Even though it was probably a great disappointment for him to be sent to the American League, it was almost a necessary thing to happen for him because it let us basically pull down that reset button for 10 seconds and this hockey player restarted himself and a new guy popped out,” Marlies head coach Dallas Eakins told TSN.ca.
His hair now trim and proper, his body and game redefined, Orr is attempting a return to the Maple Leafs this season.
Ex-Caps right wing Mike Knuble should get NHL contract
Mike Knuble is an unrestricted free agent who needs a home. And it’s a good bet that the ex-Washington Capitals right wing will find it before the shortened 2013 NHL season begins.
Knuble, 40, experienced a down year in 2011-12, but he scored 20-plus goals in the previous eight seasons. Right now, he’s waiting for the new CBA to be official.
“You hear dates of when camps are going to open, are they going bring guys to the camps on tryouts? Are they going have to sign everybody?” Knuble said. “Who knows what’s going to happen here.”
Ottawa Senators hunting for help for depleted blueline
The Senators are trying to find help for their thin blueline.
With defenceman Jared Cowen gone for the season after hip surgery and utility blueliner Mike Lundin out with a broken thumb he suffered in Europe for a month, Senators GM Bryan Murray and assistant Tim Murray are looking for help.
Though agents for five or six free UFA’s — including Chris Campoli, Colin White and Milan Jurcina — have contacted the Senators to see if they have any interest, Bryan Murray may opt to go the trade route before camp opens.